Kane County’s Armstrong Earns Rare ‘Advanced Designation’ in Property Assessment
Mark D. Armstrong, supervisor of assessments for Kane County, has earned the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer-Master advanced designation from the Illinois Property Assessment Institute — a level that has been achieved only 30 times in the history of the state of Illinois.
Armstrong previously earned the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer designation from the Institute.
To obtain the Illinois Property Assessment Institute’s CIAO-M designation, an individual must first hold the CIAO designation, then take at least 180 hours of continuing education, serve at least eight years in the assessment field, and pass an exam.
Less than 1% of the CIAOs hold the advanced CIAO-M designation.
“Obtaining the CIAO-M advanced designation is a significant accomplishment for someone in the property assessment field,” said Josh Barnett, executive director of the Illinois Property Assessment Institute. “Mark is highly respected in the industry and has a remarkable level of experience and knowledge. Earning his CIAO-M underscores Mark’s commitment to professional development and high level of expertise in property assessment.”
Armstrong has been the Kane County supervisor of assessments since 2006. Prior to taking office, he spent 21 years in the private sector as a real estate appraiser.
He is an Illinois Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers, where he serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Chapter. In 2018, the Institute presented Armstrong with the Marshall Theroux Memorial Award for his service to the assessment field.
Armstrong lives in St. Charles, where he has chaired multiple volunteer boards and commissions for both the city of St. Charles and Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. He has been married to Gina since 1990; they have one daughter, Ellie.
About the Illinois Property Assessment Institute
The Illinois Property Assessment Institute exists to elevate professional standards and provide education and training to property assessment professionals throughout Illinois. The IPAI owns and confers the Certified Illinois Assessing Officer designation.
The CIAO is the primary designation used by assessors to qualify for election or appointment in Illinois as well as the chief professional designation obtained by assessment office staff throughout the state.
More information may be found at www.IPAIeducation.org.
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